Airbus makes its first foray into aircraft engine manufacturing through a joint venture with MTU Aero Engines to develop a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell engine for commercial aviation. The non-binding agreement, announced in Toulouse on 7 July 2026, targets operational start in 2027 following regulatory and social approvals. This partnership merges Airbus ZEROe hydrogen expertise with MTU Flying Fuel Cell technology to create a European powerhouse for certifiable electric propulsion. The venture accelerates design, testing, and certification of a revolutionary hydrogen fuel cell system, potentially enabling commercial aircraft based on this technology while securing strategic sovereignty in next-generation aviation.